Talbots

Always liked shopping here but not any more. The store is not the same since being bought out. They are using cheaper quality fabrics and skimpier cuts where you don’t see them. For example: comparing my 5yr old Capri pants made out good quality cotton that have front pockets 4″ deep and 5″ wide and back pockets that are 5″ wide and 3 ½ deep. The new Capri’s have 2 ¾″ front pockets (really!!!) and the back have 5 ½″ wide and 3 ½″ deep! Also the quality of the new pants have 40% rayon. Ugh! The old Capri wash well and need a light iron tomake them look great but after one washing and a lot of ironing the new ones look old and tired. Too bad they’ve decided to go this route it WAS a wonderful store.

This is actually about a corporate policy of Talbots, not the Boston store. I am a steady Talbots customer. Last week, I received the February catalogue and promptly ordered $ 700 worth of «new arrivals», which were delivered promptly. Within 72 hours, I also received a card promoting the 25% discount on «new arrivals» to begin on Feb. 6. I called Talbots customer service to ask for the discount on the items I had just purchased (on my Talbots card). Their policy does not permit it. A silly policy, but so be it. Today I will go to the local Talbots store and return the items I ordered last week, which are unworn with their tags still on. Then I will purchase identical replacement items for 25% less, either in the store or online. This will save me about $ 140. I might not bother for one or two items, but in this case, the hassle is worth it. Message to Talbots: In the future, I will be loath to order «new arrivals» from a catalogue immediately, but will wait a week to see if a card announcing a discount on those same items arrives.

A recent wardrobe review left me with the realization that my basic black pants were falling apart. I decided to invest in high quality clothing this time, and headed over to Talbots. I was ready to cringe at the prices, but the 75% off sale was amazing; I found 2 pairs of gorgeous black pants in my size on the rack that had already been on sale before the 75% markdown. Most clothing stores are terribly picked over during sale time (and I wear a common size), so I feel really lucky to get 2 pairs!
Other notes:
The sales staff were friendly & helpful; I didn’t experience any of the pushiness described in earlier reviews.
The petite & plus sizes are on the 2^nd floor (something I missed during my first visit to this store).

I didn’t expect to buy anything in this shop, but can’t refuse their 75% sale and the people working in the shop were really helpful. I have to give their service 5 stars. They have some good classic range, if you have to work formal at work, this is a good place to shop.

I really love the Talbots clothes, but have to give this store a three star. I called to check the availability of a dress, the staff was terribly rude!

I absolutely LOVE Talbots clothing. As other reviews have mentioned, the pieces are quality made and really last. Their dresses and skirts are some of my absolutely favorite pieces in my wardrobe. However, brand loyalty is about more than what you make… it’s also about how you sell it.
And *usual* my in-​store shopping experience is uneventful. I’m greeted as I walk in, greeted as I enter the Women’s section, and asked if I need assistance with sizes, starting a fitting room, etc.
However, after purchasing a fantastic basic sheath dress (boatneck ponte sheath), I decided I needed it in a couple more colors. I checked online with no success and decided to call my local Talbots store (about a block from my office). The phone was answered by an incredibly rude woman who gave me attitude from start. She wouldn’t transfer me to the Women’s department (saying no one was up there…), was rude when I didn’t have the item number immediately available, didn’t listen when I tried to explain what size and colors I was looking for, and then put me on hold for 20 minutes. Now I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt that the store was busy. I’m a patient person — especially when someone’s doing me a service. But she didn’t even return to the phone. Someone else picked up the line and I had to start all over again. Then the salesperson who re-​answered my call wasn’t kind or apologetic in the least. AND she wouldn’t give me the name of the salesperson who originally answered my call. They were so unhelpful, I doubt they even checked to see if they had the dress — instead just telling me no to get rid of me.
I’ve sent a note to the store’s manager regarding the incident. I hope they’ll teach their sales associates a bit of phone ettiquette. I’m a great customer and I expect great service. Until the chip on my shoulder flakes off, I’ll take my business back to Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom. At least they understand how sales works…

I like Talbots clothing, so I really wanted to give this place five stars, but I am not a fan of pushy salespeople. As a disclaimer, I hate when people follow me around, and when I was doing retail, I never did it to customers.
If I say I am just looking, please don’t follow me around the store for twenty minutes suggesting that this or that will look good with the skirt I am holding. It’s just awkward. Everything I looked at for more than a few minutes caused the salesperson to ask me if I wanted them set up in the dressing room. I said yes to each request because I felt a lot of pressure — the woman was actually hovering over me. I ended up with 10 things in the dressing room, and only left with a cardigan.
I probably should have told the salesperson to back off, but I didn’t want to be rude. I can tell she just really wanted to make a big sale and was really eager. I didn’t see any of the other customers with salespeople on their backs, so I don’t know — maybe she recognized the shopaholic in me? LOL. Anyways, I think I’ll do my Talbots shopping online from now on unless other locations have less pushy salespeople.

I was shocked to see the updated designs that are now at Talbots– the all line is to drool over– I have ditched Ann TAY and taken my biz to Talbots– better quality and their pieces LAST!!!
The fall BOOTS are GORGEOUS!

The sales people have never been anything but extremely helpful at this location. Some of them are exceptional — really bending over backwards for you. If you want to experiece poor service walk a few blocks over to Brooks Brothers.

After horrible experiences trying to buy suits at less expensive stores, I decided to raise my price point and head over to Talbots.
The kind of service I received at Talbots was fantastic. I told the Talbots associate my size and what I was looking for and he did the rest of the work. I was looking for women’s suits, preferably one with color, that did not make me look like a box and yet didn’t make me look like I was about to go out to the bar after my presentation.
They have a good selection of women’s suits, from the traditional black to varieties of colors and patterns. The suit wasn’t cheap, but it was totally worth it.

I do like to get some great classics from Talbots for work. I like the Hingham location and I like to shop online. But, I hate this Boylston location. They act as if I shouldn’t be there. I returned an item today that I bought online and the woman was like — how long did you have this? I had tags and everything on it, and showed her the invoice — pointing to the date — and it said one friggin week! And she was like, oh… these are out-​of season tags. BITCH not my problem you guys are selling out dated clothes on your website. Just process the return! She mumbled something under her breath about JCREW? WTF? Anyway, if you look anything under 30, don’t expect great service. they look at you like you don’t belong.

Background– I called Talbots on Boylston a few days ago to 1) see if they had the dress I wanted in a 4P, and 2) if they could put it on hold. I was told they had the dress, and I had a week to pick it up. Perfect!
Not only did they not have anything on hold for me, they didn’t even carry the dress at this location! I went all the way there on my lunch break for nothing– the salesperson clearly didn’t listen to me, and now I am stuck without a dress for a wedding this weekend! I’ll never go back.

In general, I like Talbot’s. I don’t do a ton of my own shopping here, but I have found some great classic pieces.
This location, however, I really dislike. Usually the people working make me not want to shop there (sorry, Dawn E.!). I don’t really understand why, because I try not to look like a college student, I don’t look like I just rolled out of bed… maybe because I’m in the 25 – 30 box? It baffles me.
I like other Talbot’s locations around Boston much better.

Okay. I think the nicest people in the world work at Talbots.
Seriously, do they have like some awesome pre-​screening where they put these people in a room with puppies and babies and see how they react before hiring them?
I looked like trash when I walked in, and i was soaked from the rain, but no scorn or disdain (I rhymed!) came from the women of Talbots.
They helped me pick out items, carried them to the dressing room for me, and constantly asked how i was doing, but not in a pushy or nosey way.
Of course, all I can afford at Talbots is on Clearance and nothign I tried on was for me… but I’ll be back, since they’re so damned nice. And I will bring my credit card.